Homeplus on the Brink of Bankruptcy: "Reporter, Please!"

[Store Official: Reporter!! The employees here do not represent the company... Please conduct official interviews through the PR team.]

[Homeplus Store Employee: The PR team has already resigned!]

The major supermarket chain Homeplus is facing a crisis of bankruptcy following a court decision to terminate its rehabilitation proceedings.

The court determined that rehabilitation was unfeasible due to a deteriorating business environment, a short-term liquidity shortage amounting to 200 billion won, and the absence of a concrete plan to secure funds.

The Homeplus store visited by our reporter was already a scene of crisis.

[Kim Jong-won/Anchor: It is said that business remained very strong even after the Homeplus situation erupted last year. However, since the court decided to terminate the rehabilitation proceedings a few days ago, this place has also been struck by a crisis. Let us go inside and see what the situation is like.]

Following the court's decision, suppliers concerned about not receiving payments have begun withdrawing their goods, leaving store shelves empty and halting sales of fresh food, clothing, and general merchandise.

In some stores, direct employees, including cashiers, are even taking on cleaning duties, indicating disruptions in workforce management.

[Homeplus Store Employee: We need to do something to save the company. But people are being cautious for fear of backlash. It is truly heartbreaking.]

Frontline employees are enduring each day amidst frustration and anger. There are 12,000 direct employees facing the risk of unemployment, and if suppliers and special employment workers are included, the livelihoods of up to 100,000 people are at stake.

[Homeplus Employee (4th year): "If I leave here, how will I live? How will my family survive?"... They say the employees pray every night for the company to be saved.]

MBK Partners, the largest shareholder, and Meritz Financial Group, the largest creditor, are at odds over how to raise rehabilitation funds.

The final agreement between the two sides regarding capital injection and additional guarantees remains delayed.

While the labor union has proposed the injection of public funds by the government, the government maintains a cautious stance, citing the principle of responsibility for private equity funds and the legitimacy of using taxpayer money.

With about 10 days left until the deadline set by the court, there is a possibility that if Homeplus fails to secure the 200 billion won required to implement its rehabilitation plan, the proceedings will be halted and lead to liquidation. In that event, massive layoffs are expected, and a significant shock to suppliers and the local economy appears inevitable.

(Planning: Kim Da-yeon | Video Editing: Kim Na-on | Video Source: News Hunters | Produced by SBS Digital News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.